Thursday, December 23, 2010

The Best Google Maps of 2010

Over the last year I have written about over one thousand new Google Maps mashups. It is therefore very difficult to pick out my favourite maps from so many astounding projects.

In 2008 Ushahidi, the map reporting system, was my Map of the Year. Since then Ushaidi has gone on to become an essential mapping tool for hundreds of groups and communities around the world. My favourite map of 2009 was probably #UKSnow. Ben Marsh's map of Tweets mentioning snow is still hugely popular (you just need to check out the activity on the map this week to see how it has grabbed the imagination of so many people).

Here then is my (very personal) pick of 2010:

BBC DimensionsThe BBC Dimensions site is probably my favourite Google Maps project of the year. The site lets you overlay historical landmarks and events over other locations on a Google Map, for example the screenshot above shows the Great Wall of China as it would look if it was in the USA.

The idea itself isn't new. Ifitweremyhome.com and Paul Rademacher's How Big is the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill? both produced comparative maps before BBC Dimensions. However the scope of BBC Dimensions is truly impressive. The site has a vast range of important places, events and things, which you can overlay onto a map of where you are.

HistorypinI could be showing my patriotism here but another Google Map from UK developers pushes the BBC Dimensions site close as my favourite map of the year.

HistoryPin overlays (mainly historical) photographs on top of Street View. If you haven't checked out this map before you should definitely give it a look. I promise you hours of fun.

CommonSpaceIf you live in Philadelphia you should definitely let CommonSpace try to find you a great night out for you and your friends. CommonSpace lets you add multiple starting points to a Google Map and then finds things to do in areas that are convenient for you and your friends.

Essentially the map finds the most convenient location for a group of friends to meet (based on distance) and suggests possible venues based on your preferences.

PhilaPlacePhiladelphia was also blessed this year with the incredible PhilaPlace. PhilaPlace is an interactive website, created by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, that connects stories to places across time in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. The map includes an incredible wealth of information about Pennsylvania's past told through first person memories, videos and photographs.

Going the Distance - The Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street Journal have created an impressive site that maps the New York, San Francisco, Boston and Chicago marathon routes. Each route includes Street View and elevation charts.